Hayman’s early-onset dementia diagnosis spurs thoughts on own concussion battle

• Published date: 05 November 2021
• Publication title: Sports Tab

Hayman (41), who has 45 tests caps, has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Alando Soakai, who played alongside Hayman for the Highlanders (2007) and Otago (2005-6), told Newstalk ZB it was unfortunate news for a great team-mate and friend.

He had a ‘‘better understanding’’ of what Hayman was experiencing because of his own head injury troubles, which resulted in him stepping away from the game in 2016.

‘‘I’m really mindful about it — like do you let your kids play the game?

‘‘I don’t regret hanging up my boots because of that reason,’’ Soakai said.

‘‘But sometimes you watch some of these collisions — it’s quite frightening that you’ve put your body through this ... When you see these stories and especially when it’s ex-teammates, it does strike a weird feeling inside you.

‘‘Players are slowly starting to speak up about it. You had the former England hooker Steve Thompson, who came out about his dementia a couple of months ago.

‘‘I think when you play in a sport I think it’s always in your thoughts ‘am I going to pick this up later on in my career?’’’

Once Soakai retired from playing, he immediately moved into a coaching role with Kubota Spears in Japan and has been there ever since. He’s pleased to see the awareness of concussions elevated.

‘‘When you see current players right now that are going...